At Bluesky Finance, we frequently support globally mobile clients in retirement who ask: “Can I secure a mortgage in France even though I am over 60 and dependent on pension income?” The firm answer: yes—absolutely. Retirement or age beyond 60 need not be a barrier to arranging a mortgage in France, but you must structure it to meet lender criteria that are tailored to your stage of life.

Why it is possible

French lenders will lend to borrowers who are retired, provided that they can demonstrate a recurring, reliable source of income (even if no longer employed). Acceptable income for underwriting may include:

• Pension income (state pension, private pensions or annuities)

• Rental income from property holdings

• Income generated from retirement investment accounts (dividends, interest, systematic drawdowns)

As long as you can evidence this income chronologically and show that it supports the loan repayments, your retirement status does not automatically exclude you from mortgage eligibility.

Key age‑and‑term criteria you must meet

From our experience advising high‑net‑worth international buyers, the critical age‑related criteria French lenders apply are:

• The loan must be fully amortised by a specified maximum age—often around 75‑80 years at the end of the term.

• Lenders typically calculate the allowable mortgage term so that the borrower’s age today plus the mortgage termdoes not exceed the lender’s age ceiling (for example: if you are 63 now, and the bank’s limit is 80, the maximum term would be ~17 years).

• The debt‑service capability must fit within your income and liability profile—including your retired status and any other repayments

How to structure the mortgage successfully in retirement

Here are the key levers you should focus on to ensure a favourable outcome:

• Term shortening: Be prepared for a shorter term than a younger borrower might take. If the age ceiling is 80, and you are already 65, you might only be able to secure a term of ~15 years rather than 20+ years.

• Fully amortising repayments: Lenders expect the loan to be repaid (principal + interest) by the end of the term—interest‑only structures are much less common for older borrowers unless they have significant alternative collateral.

• Stable income stream documentation: Provide proof of pension payments, rental history, investment income statements, or other recurring income for the past few years and projected forward.

• Affordability check: The bank will stress‑test your repayments relative to your overall income and outgoings, accounting for potential age‑related cost increases (health, maintenance, currency risk if income is non‑euro).

• Insurance or security: The bank may require life‑insurance cover (assurance emprunteur) or additional security, especially due to older age. Ensure the cost of insurance is factored into your cashflow plan.

The Bluesky Verdict

For clients aged over 60 and retired, securing a French mortgage is very much viable—provided the deal is structured appropriately. The scariest constraint for many is not the age itself, but the term length: lenders expect the debt to be cleared by an upper‑age threshold. That means your planning must reflect realistic term limits, solid recurring income, and clean affordability.

In our view:

• Age alone does not disqualify you.

• You should expect a shorter term than younger borrowers.

• Capital + interest repayment (amortising) is the preferred format.

• Clear, recurring income (pensions, rentals, etc) is the essential qualification.

If you are retired and planning a property purchase in France, now is a strategic moment. Interest rates remain attractive, and the leverage of borrowing in euros against a euro‑asset still offers meaningful benefits. Bluesky Finance stands ready to assist you in navigating the lender landscape, preparing the right documentation and structuring the offer so that your age‑status works for you – not against you.